MODEL
Nissan Pathfinder
NHTSA safety across every Nissan Pathfinder model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Nissan Pathfinder we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 91 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 80. 11 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row midsize SUV that has long targeted family buyers who need genuine passenger capacity without stepping into full-size truck territory. Now in its fifth generation for the covered model years, it competes in one of the most hotly contested segments in America, going up against the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Explorer. Safety is a legitimate selling point here, but the full picture deserves a careful look.
The Nissan Pathfinder earns its best marks in side-impact protection, posting a 5-out-of-5-star NHTSA rating in that discipline across its strongest years. Frontal and rollover results are more modest at 4 stars each, which is respectable but not class-leading. The overall NHTSA Safety Index peaks at 88 out of 100 in the 2020 model year, landing the Pathfinder firmly in the Strong band. That is an encouraging headline number for family shoppers. The recall picture, however, warrants attention. Across the 2019 through 2025 model years, NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the Pathfinder, and at least one of those campaigns carried a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, which signals a serious enough concern that Nissan and regulators felt owners should not operate the vehicle until the remedy was completed. Shoppers must verify that any used example has had all open recalls resolved before purchase. On the complaint side, 458 owner-reported complaints have been filed across these model years, including 15 alleged crash events, 2 fire-related allegations, and 12 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, but the fire-related complaints in particular are worth monitoring given the severity of that risk category. The honest bottom line: the Pathfinder is a reasonably solid performer in crash tests, but its recall volume and the presence of a do-not-drive campaign mean due diligence on recall status is non-negotiable for any buyer.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Pathfinder as a practical, family-friendly three-row SUV with a comfortable interior and straightforward driving character. Most find it a competent if not segment-defining choice, praising its usable third row and ease of daily operation while noting it faces stiff competition from more dynamically polished rivals in the midsize SUV class.
- At least one recall across the 2019-2025 model years carried a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, meaning the safety risk was serious enough that regulators advised against operating the vehicle. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before buying.
- The Pathfinder's best NHTSA Safety Index score of 88 out of 100 was recorded in the 2020 model year. If crash-test performance is a priority, the 2020 model year is the benchmark to compare other years against.
- Side-impact protection is the Pathfinder's strongest crash-test result at 5 out of 5 stars, but frontal and rollover ratings sit at 4 stars each. Families with young children should weigh the rollover rating given the SUV's higher center of gravity.
- Owner complaints total 458 across the covered model years, with 2 fire-related allegations on record. While these are unverified, fire complaints in any vehicle warrant a check of current and past recall notices related to fuel, electrical, and engine systems before finalizing a purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder with 5 recalls.